Archive for the ‘GPS Handheld’ Category

A GPS Handheld Devices in Your Pocket

A GPS handheld unit can give people the freedom to explore the wilderness areas that they have not attempted before. These GPS Handheld units have a small screen which shows an icon representing your current location and pre-plotted locations. Consumer grade handheld GPS units need to receive signals from at least three of these satellites to calculate your “XY” or map coordinated position.

Waypoints, routes, and tracks are the three principal categories of locations that are fixed by a hiker in a handheld GPS unit. An understanding of these three basic categories gives the hiker insight into how a handheld GPS unit can help one navigate and explore safely while hiking in the wilderness.

garmin handheld gps

Popular GPS Handheld Models

The Garmin eTrex GPS is the either one of most popular GPS handheld devices. Garmin’s claims of one handed usage are for real; it is easy to navigate the interface with the solid buttons on the unit. The Garmin GPS is rubberized and is water resistant. If you aim to wade or swim on your journey, you could rely on this to come through. Like most modern hand-held units, the eTrex generates its own map of your movements as a visual tracklog or ‘breadcrumb trail’.

The other well known GPS handheld is the Magellan eXplorist XL. This GPS handheld is features a 3.5 inch color screen which can still be viewable when subjected to sunlight.

Magellan also releases the other product of GPS handheld that called Magellan SporTrak Map. Magellan SporTrak Map as a GPS handheld mapping device has an accuracy of about 3 meters and highlights a 2 MB European mapping database. Besides of being a GPS handheld mapping device, the Magellan SporTrak Map contains seven huge graphical navigation displays for the adventure junkie to fully and clearly view all the details stored in such GPS handheld mapping device.

Getting New GPS Maps for Your GPS Handheld Units

A lightweight and handheld General Positioning Satellite (GPS) device with the highest number of GPS maps installed is always helpful. GPS maps for portable GPS devices are available at many repositories. You first stop should be the Internet where you can download a lot of free GPS maps ready to be installed in your handheld GPS device.

Portable GPS and handheld GPS equipments make use of the same maps although their size is different because of the actual size of their respective monitors. GPS maps mobile units are used for several purposes especially in aviation.

Modern handheld GPS units have full databases with easy updating using a plug-in chip or PC. Other handheld devices provide outstanding features such as the location awareness, electronic mapping, address lookup, automatic route generation, turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance, trip computer, tracklog, route avoidance, and Contact Locator^TM.

GPS maps portable units have drastically changed the aviation industry. The GPS handheld is a top avionics product.

See also the other guide on Car GPS

Garmin Forerunner Series

Garmin Forerunner is the other one of GPS handheld. Basically, Garmin Forerunner is designed for the runner and is worn like a watch, and designed to allow joggers to track speed, distance, heart rate, and location statistics. By making use of a Garmin Forerunner you’ll find that your workouts and sporting activities become a lot more rewarding.

garmin forerunner 305

So let’s make an attempt to explain it about GPS functionality? How a GPS device does Functions? In its simplest form, the underlying technology is several satellites in space and a group of related ground stations that are communicating with each other and exchanging information between GPS and this network of satellites.

This is a simple definition. The actual method involves a lot more namely communication software, hardware, a set of communication protocol, a process of some kind for assigning addresses and so on but it is for more technically inclined people.

The Garmin Forerunner isn’t just going to give you some generic GPS data, however; you will also be able to set a course, specify specific points of interest, and can even use your Forerunner to get directions back to your starting point. Depending on the model of Garmin Forerunner that you get you’ll find that the units are packed with additional features. You can use your Garmin Forerunner to display data on your speed, the distance that you’ve travelled, and even the pace at which you’ve been travelling.

There are many series that you can find on Garmin Forerunner’s:

1. Garmin Forerunner 101

Garmin Forerunner 101 is the only device which does not have a computer interface, so the information that is kept must be deleted at some point. All the devices are capable of holding approximately 5000 laps, which equates to around 2 years of data. The Garmin Forerunner 101 is the only one that is not rechargeable, it uses 2 AAA batteries.

2. Garmin Forerunner 201

Garmin Forerunner 201 is better than Garmin Forerunner 101. Garmin Forerunner 201 has Larger at 3.3″W x 1.7″H x .7″D. weighs in at 2.75 ounces. Garmin Forerunner 201 has a rechargeable lithium ion battery that lasts between 10-15 hours depending on usage.

3. Garmin Forerunner 205

Garmin Forerunner 205 was Water resistant. Outdoors the signal acquisition and ability to remain locked into a signal is very good. The 205 uses a wristband made of rubber so it will be easier to keep clean and will not absorb perspiration. If overhead trees, roofs, tall buildings etc, are too dense the signal can be affected or lost, but we found the Garmin Forerunner 205 to be quite good in operating in moderate tree cover. The Garmin Forerunner 205 maintained signals at least as well as any other GPS unit we have used and if a signal is lost it is reacquired quickly once clear of the obstacle.

4. Garmin Forerunner 301

Garmin Forerunner 301 has a heart rate monitor option. This allows you to display and track your heart rate and configure audible alarms if your heart rate goes above or below certain thresholds. I have noticed the Garmin Forerunner 101, 201, and 301 all will occasionally lose signal while running under dense tree cover or around large buildings. Garmin Forerunner 301 has the ability to have multi-sport profiles (biking, running, one other sport) and advanced workout features. The advanced workout features allow you to set up workouts with specific durations and targets (speed or heart rate) so you can follow them.

5. Garmin Forerunner 305

Garmin Forerunner 305 is one step up from the Forerunner 205 so it might be helpful to read our product review for that model. The key differences are the 305 includes the heart rate monitor, a feature the 205 lacks. A very important feature technology wise that sets the Garmin’s Forerunner 305 GPS apart from other GPS devices is that it makes use of new technology that enables it to function properly without losing connection even under heavily covered areas and indoors. This is a cool feature as lot of GPS devices are void of this feature and in my opinion is really helpful feature.

6. Garmin Forerunner 405

The Garmin Forerunner 405 may appear a harmless timepiece, but inside beats the heart of a mini computer that powers a GPS unit that transmits via WI-FI and is smart enough to let you know when you’re slacking. The touch bezel allows you to easily access all areas of your watch/GPS/training device (even with thin gloves). Garmin Connect is an online feature that allows you to download and share your exploits using your Forerunner 405. Get an online tutorial on how this unit works in the shared environment of Garmin Connect.

The Garmin Forerunner 405 was built with simplicity of design in mind and then elevated to the status one of the best bundled GPS unites available to athletes. In addition to this, the watch tracks your training, and then wirelessly sends your data to your computer! Plus, each run that you do is stored in the memory so you can continuously review how you have done and see exactly what progress you are making.

Now, you can decide which one series of Garmin Forerunner that suit for you.

See also the other guide on auto GPS, car GPS and Garmin GPS.